Most of us are familiar with the term “dark web” and the rising threat of fraud, especially as identity theft remains a significant concern for both individuals and businesses in 2025. The dark web, a part of the deep web, consists of web pages that are not indexed by standard search engines. We interact with the deep web daily when accessing services like online banking, Netflix, or email.
Accessing the dark web requires a special browser, such as Tor (The Onion Router), which encrypts your identity and anonymizes your data. This anonymity, while providing privacy for some, has unfortunately made the dark web a breeding ground for cybercrime and illicit activities, including the trading of stolen personal information.
What is a Dark Web Scanner?
A dark web scanner is a specialized tool designed to search the dark web – the hidden part of the internet inaccessible through regular search engines – for sensitive information like personal data or login credentials. These scanners are invaluable for individuals and organizations seeking to determine if their private information has been compromised and is being traded illegally on the dark web.
In simpler terms, dark web scanners are services that actively search and identify websites involved in the buying, selling, and distribution of stolen data. This stolen identity data can encompass a wide range of sensitive information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), non-public information, encrypted and password-protected illicit content, and other confidential data circulating on the dark web.
10 Dark Web Scanners to Use
How Does Personal Information End Up on the Dark Web?
There are numerous avenues through which personal information can be compromised and end up on the dark web. From sophisticated phishing email scams and large-scale data breaches to malware infections on personal computers, various cyber threats can expose your sensitive data – credit card details, CVV codes, Social Security numbers, and more – to malicious actors.
Dark web scanners utilize your personal information, such as your email address, to conduct searches across the dark web, looking for any matches that indicate a potential compromise. Many scanners begin by focusing on illicit marketplaces and forums that often lack robust privacy measures.
Dark web monitors offer similar functionalities to dark web scanners but with a crucial difference: they provide continuous scanning of the dark web. This constant vigilance allows them to detect in real-time if cybercriminals have compromised your personal data. Scanners, on the other hand, typically offer a one-time scanning service.
It’s important to acknowledge that even the most advanced dark web scanners cannot guarantee complete coverage of all stolen data present on the dark web due to the inherently clandestine nature of criminal activities and private data trading. However, if you suspect your personal information may have been compromised, utilizing a dark web scan is a highly effective step to take for peace of mind and proactive security.
In the following sections, we will delve into a comparative analysis of ten prominent dark web scanners. We will evaluate each tool based on its key features, advantages, and disadvantages. By the end of this guide, you will be well-equipped to determine which Dark Web Scanning Tool best aligns with your specific needs and security priorities.
Firefox Monitor
Firefox Monitor, developed by Mozilla, is a dedicated breach detection service. By using your email address, it effectively scans the dark web for known data breaches and promptly notifies you if your information has been compromised in any of them.
Firefox Monitor’s Top Features
- Robust Breach Search: Firefox Monitor enables users to search for information related to well-documented data breaches. It also provides lists of recent breaches and details the types of information exposed in each incident, offering valuable context and awareness.
- Comprehensive Security Tips: Mozilla provides users with a wealth of educational resources covering various aspects of cybersecurity and data breaches. This includes insights into hacker tactics, strategies for preventing hacks, best practices for creating strong passwords, and other crucial security measures.
- Real-time Data Breach Alerts: This feature allows users to set up immediate alerts that are triggered if the scanner detects their information on the dark web. If you are affected by a data breach, you will receive a notification containing critical details about the breach’s origin and the specific information that was leaked, enabling prompt action. Firefox Monitor also supports multi-email monitoring, enhancing its versatility for users with multiple online identities.
Firefox Monitor’s Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Breach scanner | – Users need a Firefox account to receive alerts |
| – Provides security tips | |
| – Informs users about the type of information leaked during a breach | |
| – Breach search functionality |
Firefox Monitor Pricing
Firefox Monitor is completely free of charge, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a dark web scanner that is both effective and budget-friendly.
Aura Dark Web Scanner
Aura offers a comprehensive digital wellness solution that includes Dark Web Monitoring, Credit Alerts, Account Monitoring, and more. Aura’s family plan is also highly regarded as a top solution for protecting children and family members from identity fraud.
All Aura plans provide $1M Identity Theft Insurance, rapid alerts for potentially suspicious activity, and 24/7/365 customer support, ensuring robust protection and peace of mind.
Aura’s Top Features
- Online Account and Personal Info Monitoring: Aura continuously monitors your online information and promptly notifies you of any unauthorized access or potential data breaches, ensuring proactive security.
- Dark Web Monitoring (Personal Info and SSN Monitoring): Aura will alert you if it detects your Social Security Number (SSN) or other sensitive personal information being used by unauthorized parties online. This includes monitoring for instances of identity theft where someone attempts to open new accounts or lines of credit using your credentials.
- Identity Verification Monitoring: Aura monitors all attempts to verify your identity across the internet. You will be notified if any unusual or unauthorized identity verification attempts are made, providing an extra layer of security against identity theft.
- $1M Identity Theft Insurance: Aura members are provided with up to $1 million in coverage in the event of identity theft. This substantial coverage includes compensation for lost wages, travel expenses, and legal fees associated with recovering from identity theft.
- Home Title Monitoring: Identity theft can extend to home title fraud. Aura mitigates this risk by monitoring for unauthorized transfers or changes to your home title, protecting your property assets.
- Criminal Court Records Monitoring: Aura will notify you if your stolen personal information appears in criminal records, helping you to address potential legal repercussions of identity theft.
Aura’s Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Comprehensive dark web scan | – One-on-one white-glove fraud resolution is limited to the highest plan tier |
| – Continuous dark web monitoring | – Wi-Fi security features are not available on macOS or Chrome, limiting feature parity across platforms |
| – Monitors all 3 credit bureaus with Experian Credit Lock | |
| – Credit fraud alerts are up to 4x faster compared to competitors, enabling quicker response times |
Aura Pricing
Aura offers three plan options, all of which include a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to try the service risk-free.
Aura’s plans include:
- Individual — $12/month
- Couple — $22/month
- Family — $37/month
Learn more about the specifics of each plan here.
Identity Guard
Identity Guard is also owned by Aura and is recognized as a leading identity theft protection solution. Identity Guard uses your email address to scan the dark web for any compromised data, examining six key categories of data to identify vulnerabilities.
These categories include:
- Identity Theft
- Account Hijacking
- Home Title Theft
- Credit Theft
- Spam + Robocalls
- Data Trading
Identity Guard not only monitors your data but also provides timely alerts about changes in your credit report, allowing you to promptly address potential identity theft incidents.
Identity Guard Top Features
- Constant Scanning: Identity Guard continuously monitors millions of data points that constitute your online personal and financial identity, including bank accounts and credit cards. It combines traditional monitoring techniques with IBM Watson’s powerful AI scanning capabilities to detect the maximum number of threats and promptly notify you if your information has been compromised.
- Quick Alerts: Recognizing that 100% data security is unattainable, Identity Guard prioritizes rapid response to potential data breaches. It monitors your data 24/7/365, sending the fastest alerts (via email and mobile app notifications) about possible breaches. This speed is crucial for minimizing damage and securing your data effectively.
- Easy Recovery Process: Identity Guard provides comprehensive support for identity theft victims. Upon detecting a threat, they connect you with a personal case manager who will guide you through the recovery process. Your case manager assists in restoring your credit, securing financial accounts, and regaining control of your life. Additionally, you receive up to $1M in insurance coverage with stolen funds reimbursement to cover financial losses.
Identity Guard Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Dark web scan | – Credit protection features are only available on higher-tier plans |
| – Dark web monitoring | – White Glove Resolution Concierge service is exclusively offered on the highest plan tier |
| – User-friendly identity dashboard | |
| – Risk management score to assess your overall identity theft risk | |
| – Family plans available for comprehensive family protection |
Identity Guard Pricing
Identity Guard offers three pricing tiers, with options for both individuals and families, catering to various needs and budgets.
- Value Plan — $7.50/month
- Total Plan — $16.67/month
- Ultra Plan — $25/month
Have I Been Pwned?
Have I Been Pwned is a specialized dark web scanner focused on identifying compromised information resulting from data breaches.
By entering your email address or phone number, the site scans through a vast database of known breached sites to determine if your data has been compromised in any of these incidents.
Users can also subscribe to a watchlist to receive proactive notifications if their information is involved in any future data breaches, providing ongoing monitoring and alerts.
Have I Been Pwned’s Top Features
- List of Largest and Most Recent Breaches: The site’s homepage prominently displays lists of both the largest and most recent data breaches detected. If you recognize any familiar sites on these lists, it is a critical indicator to take immediate action to secure your accounts and data.
- 1Password Integration: Have I Been Pwned seamlessly integrates with 1Password, a popular password manager. Recognizing that weak or reused passwords are a major vulnerability, this integration helps users generate strong, unique passwords and securely manage them, enhancing overall digital security.
- Domain Search: This feature allows users to identify all email addresses associated with a specific domain that have been compromised in a data breach. However, this feature is restricted to users who control the domain, making it a valuable tool for site owners and administrators to assess and mitigate risks across their organization.
Have I Been Pwned Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Breach scanner | – Basic interface with fewer features compared to other comprehensive sites |
| – Comprehensive list of data breaches | – Primarily offers notifications with limited extra protection features |
| – Domain search capability | |
| – Seamless integration with 1Password |
Have I Been Pwned Pricing
Have I Been Pwned offers an API for customers who need programmatic access to its breach data.
Access to this API requires an API key, which can be obtained through a single month fee or a recurring monthly subscription.
Have I Been Pwned charges a $3.50/month fee, with detailed reasons for this cost explained on their website.
Upon purchasing API access, users must verify their ability to access the email address they intend to use for API queries.
For detailed questions regarding the API, users can consult the Have I Been Pwned FAQ page.
MyPwd (from Axur)
MyPwd, developed by Axur, utilizes artificial intelligence to scan the deep web and the dark web, specifically looking for leaked personal passwords. It constantly monitors for evidence of databases for sale, compromised credit cards, illegal service offerings, and cyberattack planning activities.
To begin using MyPwd, only your email address is required, minimizing the initial data input needed to start protecting your passwords.
MyPwd Top Features
- Clear and Easy to Use: Unlike some competitors that require account creation or have complex user interfaces, MyPwd offers a straightforward and user-friendly setup. This simplicity makes it accessible and less intimidating for new users to start using dark web scanning.
- Artificial Intelligence Powered: MyPwd leverages advanced artificial intelligence to comprehensively monitor both the deep and dark web. This AI-driven approach is a sophisticated technique employed by only a few competitors, providing a more thorough and efficient scanning process.
- Password-Focused Targeting: Recognizing that password reuse is a common vulnerability, MyPwd specifically targets password protection. It alerts you if your passwords have been compromised, helping you to proactively secure your accounts and prevent unauthorized access.
MyPwd Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Scans the surface web, deep web, and dark web for compromised passwords | – Basic feature set with fewer functionalities compared to some tools |
| – Email subscription alerts for password breaches | – Limited availability of supporting articles or comprehensive FAQs |
MyPwd Pricing
MyPwd offers three pricing tiers designed for different user needs.
- Free
- Corporate — $50/month per domain
- Enterprise — $200/month per domain
Dehashed
DeHashed is a comprehensive search engine and monitoring service. It allows users to search for emails, usernames, domains, IPs, and more to identify vulnerable information across a wide range of online sources.
DeHashed offers both dark web scanning and continuous monitoring services. The platform is also utilized by breach analysis companies and various law enforcement agencies, highlighting its credibility and robust capabilities.
DeHashed Top Features
- Integrity and Trustworthiness: DeHashed is utilized by thousands of law enforcement agencies and Fortune 500 companies for their daily investigative and protective needs. In an industry where trust is paramount, DeHashed has established itself as a highly credible and reliable player.
- Private Datasets: DeHashed continuously acquires new and private datasets that are not accessible to other services. This exclusive access allows them to be among the first to detect and respond to data breaches, providing users with timely and critical information.
- Powerful Integrations: DeHashed offers a feature-rich, powerful, and fast API that can be seamlessly integrated with a company’s existing security applications. Their query speeds are exceptionally fast, averaging 80µs with HTML generation and just 25µs for API queries, ensuring efficient and rapid data retrieval.
DeHashed Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Robust scanning and monitoring tool | – Some support features and functionalities are restricted behind a paywall |
| – Real-time monitoring of hacker activity | |
| – Cyber intelligence dataset helps in proactively identifying potential identity fraud | |
| – Affordability, offering a wide range of services, including some free features, at fair prices |
DeHashed Pricing
DeHashed offers three distinct pricing solutions to cater to different usage needs.
- Enthusiast — $5.49/1 week
- Monthly — $15.49/1 month
- Annually — $179.99/ 1 year
Detailed information about each plan is available here.
Hashcast (from Axur)
HashCast, another tool from Axur, specializes in enhancing company-wide security. This service enables businesses to monitor for leaks of employee emails, passwords, and password hashes across the web, including the deep and dark web.
HashCast ensures that businesses are the first to know if their corporate credentials have been compromised, allowing them to proactively mitigate risks and protect sensitive company data.
Hashcast Top Features
- AI-Driven Credential Sweeping: Hashcast employs hundreds of AI bots to monitor both public and private internet channels. These bots search for compromised credentials, specifically email and password pairs or email and hash combinations, associated with your business domain. Channels monitored include groups on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Discord, and other platforms, including the deep and dark web. Getting started is simple with just your business email address.
- Real-Time Breach Alerts: When Hashcast’s AI detects a credential leak, your company receives an immediate email alert in real time. This alert details the compromised credentials and provides actionable next steps to secure your accounts. Premium plans also offer text message alerts, webhook alerts, access to Hashcast’s API, and leakage source information, enhancing alert delivery and data access.
Hashcast Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Scans for business-wide data breaches, protecting company credentials | – Free version has limited features, with more comprehensive options and services available in premium plans |
| – Free email alerts for data breaches, ensuring immediate notification | |
| – Easy verification of your business domain for streamlined setup | |
| – Different plan options cater to various types and sizes of companies, offering scalable solutions |
Hashcast Pricing
Hashcast provides three pricing options to suit different business needs and budgets.
- Free
- $50/month/domain
- $200/month/domain
Intelligence X
Intelligence X is an independent European technology company established in 2018, based in the Czech Republic. Its core mission is to develop and maintain a large-scale search engine and data archive focused on open-source intelligence.
Intelligence X stands out due to its use of “selectors”—specific search terms like email addresses, domains, URLs, IPs, CIDRs, BTC addresses, and IPFS hashes. These selectors enable Intelligence X to gather intelligence from diverse sources, including the darknet, document sharing platforms, WHOIS data, public data leaks, and more.
Intelligence X caters to both enterprise clients and government agencies, offering customized plans tailored to the unique requirements of each client.
Intelligence X Top Features
- Personalized Plans: Intelligence X provides custom plans designed for each client. They collaborate with you to define a specific set of selectors that will yield the most relevant and actionable intelligence for your organization.
- In-Depth Selector Scans: Intelligence X enables clients to search for intelligence across the deepest and most obscure corners of the internet. Unlike many similar services, it can efficiently search billions of selectors in seconds, including high-risk IPs, BTC addresses, and more, offering unparalleled search depth and speed.
Intelligence X Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Custom plans tailored to specific client needs | – Free users have limited access, lacking alerts and access to most selector types |
| – Wide variety of custom selectors to refine searches and target specific data types | – Primarily focused on enterprise and government clients, potentially less accessible or user-friendly for individual cybersecurity needs |
| – Ability to search a broad range of sources, including the dark web, deep web, document sharing sites, public leaks, and BTC addresses |
Intelligence X Pricing
Intelligence X offers both free and SMB/Enterprise pricing tiers. Specific details on the services included in each tier can be found on their product page here.
Dashlane
Dashlane is a subscription-based password manager and digital wallet application that provides robust security tools for both businesses and individuals.
At the core of Dashlane is its password management app, which securely saves passwords and sensitive information for autofill and generates strong, secure passwords for users.
For businesses, Dashlane offers advanced features such as customizable security settings (including 2FA and single sign-on) and employee groups for secure password sharing and enhanced productivity.
Dashlane also includes a dark web monitoring tool, VPN and WiFi protection, and secure data storage, making it a comprehensive security solution.
Dashlane Top Features
- Flexible Plans for Diverse Clients: Dashlane offers a range of plan types tailored to individuals, families, and businesses. This flexibility ensures that whether you are securing personal accounts or managing corporate security, Dashlane provides a user-friendly solution to protect all your data.
- Automatic Password Changer: Dashlane provides access to all passwords stored within a device or plan. If its dark web scanner detects a data leak, Dashlane’s automatic password changer allows you to update multiple account passwords with just a few clicks, streamlining the security update process.
Dashlane Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Plans available for individuals, families, and businesses, catering to a wide range of users | – All dark web and online security features require a paid subscription, limiting free functionality |
| – Securely stores passwords and generates complex, strong passwords | |
| – Includes dark web monitoring and scanning features | |
| – Offers VPN and WiFi protection for enhanced online security | |
| – Automatic password changer simplifies password updates after a detected breach |
Dashlane Pricing
Dashlane offers 3 different plan tiers designed to meet various security needs and budgets.
- Free
- Premium — $6.49/month
- Family — $8.99/month
Plan specifics and detailed feature comparisons are available here.
IDStrong
IDStrong is focused on helping users protect their personal and credit information online.
Their comprehensive service monitors black market websites, chat rooms, social media feeds, public records, the dark web, and millions of other data points across the internet to detect if your personal information has been compromised.
IDStrong provides immediate alerts if any part of your identity has been compromised, enabling rapid response and mitigation.
IDStrong Top Features
- Data Breach and Exposure Report: IDStrong’s Data Breach and Exposure Reports offer a detailed overview of your online security status. If your financial or personal online identity has been compromised, the report provides immediate notification. These reports track where and what types of your personal and credit information appear online, alerting you to suspicious activity or profile changes.
- Access to a Restoration Team: In the event of identity theft, whether from a widespread hack or individual cyberattacks, IDStrong provides immediate access to dedicated support. Users are connected to a call center that pairs them with a restoration team. This team guides you step-by-step through the process of reclaiming your identity and minimizing damage.
- $1M Identity Theft Insurance: For Advanced and Comprehensive Plan users, IDStrong offers up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. This coverage includes compensation for lost wages, stolen funds, travel expenses, and other costs associated with identity theft recovery.
IDStrong Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Free online scanning using personal info, email, phone number, usernames, passwords, and more | – Scanning is the only service IDStrong offers for free, limiting free feature set |
| – Comprehensive features including monitoring, reporting, and live support | |
| – Up to $1M identity theft insurance for financial protection | |
| – ID restoration support to assist with recovery from identity theft |
IDStrong Pricing
IDStrong offers three subscription tiers to meet different levels of protection needs.
- Standard — $9.95/month
- Advanced — $14.95/month
- Comprehensive — $19.95/month
More details on the differences between each plan are available on their FAQ page under “What is the Difference Between Your Three Subscription Plans?” here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dark Web Illegal?
Accessing and browsing the dark web is legal. However, it is widely associated with illegal activities. You may have heard of Silk Road, an online marketplace on the dark web for illegal drugs, or Besa Mafia, a site reportedly used to hire assassins. Generally, the dark web is often used for criminal activities, and compromised information from data breaches frequently ends up there to be sold quickly.
Despite its association with illegal activities, the dark web also hosts legitimate sites. Facebook and The New York Times, among other reputable publications and companies, maintain sites on the dark web for privacy and accessibility in restricted regions.
How Much Does a Dark Web Scan Cost?
Many dark web scans are available completely free of charge.
However, continuous online security monitoring, which includes ongoing dark web scans, is typically a paid service offered by security providers, including those listed in this article.
Companies generally charge a fee for these services to cover the costs of running scripts, maintaining APIs, and employing AI technology for comprehensive monitoring. If you are considering a cost-effective solution, some VPN services, like UltraVPN, offer free dark web scanners as part of their paid VPN packages.
What Should I Do If My Information Is On The Dark Web?
If a dark web scanner detects your personal information on the dark web, immediate action is crucial. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of identity fraud or financial fraud.
Immediately contact all institutions holding your sensitive information to freeze your accounts and cards. This includes your bank, credit card companies, and the Social Security Administration. It is also essential to change all your passwords immediately to prevent further unauthorized access.
What is a Deep Web Scan?
Deep web scans are similar to dark web scans but target the deep web, which is the portion of the internet not indexed by standard search engines but is not inherently illicit. Deep web scans check these non-surface-level areas to determine if your information has been compromised.
It’s important to distinguish between the deep web and the dark web. The deep web is not inherently malicious; it simply contains content not intended for public search engines, such as document-sharing sites, email accounts, and secure login portals. It is the secure, back-end portion of the internet where privacy is maintained for legitimate purposes.
Prioritize Your Online Security
Your personal information is highly sensitive, and it is alarmingly easy for hackers and cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access without your knowledge.
Being proactive about your online security is essential. In addition to installing robust antivirus and backup software on your devices, utilizing dark web scanning services is a highly effective way to continuously monitor and enhance your online security posture. Investing in these tools can provide significant peace of mind and protection against the growing threats of the digital world.
